Knowledgebase

Critter tunneling in yard #736287

Asked January 07, 2021, 5:18 PM EST

Hi  I occasionally get moles in my yard and believe there's a vast underground tunnel system that they created and I have a new critter that seems to be using those tunnels. There's no dirt mounds with this one and lately has become very, very aggressive and now have holes forming all over my yard. I've attached a couple of photos to see if I can get help identifying what this is and what might be a good plan to deal with them.  I have a few very active dogs and am very afraid one might hurt their leg in one of those holes.  Any help or advice you can give me would be much appreciated. Thank you.  Kris


Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

Those sort of holes -- without any soil mounding -- typically means voles are active. Voles relatively easy to manage with ordinary mouse traps.

However, if your property backs up to a greenway, or other untended area, other voles will repeatedly move in to take up the vacancy. Even so, you will be able to gain the upper hand if you are persistent.

See, or download, the free publication  "Meadow Voles and pocket Gophers" at https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/PNW/PNW0627.pdf .

If the holes are restricted to one area of the lawn, protect your dogs by temporarily fencing it off.

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